The ongoing investigation by the Department of Home Affairs into Chidimma Adetshina’s citizenship has uncovered prima facie evidence of potential fraud and identity theft orchestrated by her mother.
Story Summary:
- The Department of Home Affairs has found prima facie indications of possible fraud in Chidimma Adetshina’s citizenship status.
- The department believes Chidimma’s mother may have participated in fraud and identity theft
- Indications suggest the crime was perpetrated by Home Affairs insiders
- Miss SA has yet to issue a statement on Chidimma’s participation in the 2024 pageant.
Context and background
Born to a Nigerian father and a mother of Mozambican descent at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Adetshina has faced significant xenophobic backlash.
Critics have questioned her nationality and her right to compete in Miss South Africa, citing her heritage as a disqualifying factor.
Her parents met in Johannesburg in the late ’90s and chose to settle in Pimville before moving to Cape Town, where she currently resides.
In an interview with Sowetan SMag, Adetshina revealed that being raised in a multicultural environment gave her a broad perspective on different cultures.
“I’ve always envisioned a dream to be on Miss SA since 2017 and here I am achieving that goal. To me, being a finalist is as if I’m rewriting my mother’s dream of becoming a model. Her father didn’t allow her to do anything related to modelling, so I feel like I’m living her life which feels like a beautiful dream come true,” she revealed.
However, the 23-year-old’s pageant dream quickly escalated into a nightmare when video footage surfaced online, showing her celebrating her Miss SA Top 14 qualification with her paternal family, which, by all accounts, was of African descent — but certainly not South African.
Pressured by growing public outcry, the Miss SA organisation approached the Department of Home Affairs for verification of the 23-year-old’s citizenship status, and on Wednesday, Adetshina’s world came tumbling down when Minister Leon Schreiber delivered the preliminary outcomes of the probe.
Here, we analyse the potential implications for Chidimma Adetshina, her participation in the 2024 Miss South Africa pageant, and the possible legal consequences.
Will Chidimma Adetshina lose her citizenship?
The preliminary findings of the investigation indicate that Chidimma’s mother may have committed fraud and identity theft 23 years ago, but Chidimma herself could not have been involved, as she was an infant at the time.
According to South African law, citizenship acquired through fraudulent means can be revoked.
The Citizenship Act allows for the Minister of Home Affairs to revoke citizenship if it was obtained through misrepresentation or fraud.
However, given that Chidimma was an infant and not an active participant in the alleged fraud, the department might consider her a victim rather than a perpetrator.
This nuance will be crucial in determining her citizenship status.
Will Miss SA drop her from the Top 10?
The Miss SA organisation requested an investigation into Chidimma’s citizenship.
If the investigation concludes that her citizenship is indeed fraudulent, the organisation may have no choice but to disqualify her from the competition.
Pageants typically have strict rules regarding the eligibility of contestants, and adherence to legal standards is paramount.
The findings from Home Affairs, once finalised, will heavily influence this decision.
Until then, the organisation might suspend her participation pending the outcome of the investigation, albeit an announcement from the pageant has yet to surface.
Will Chidimma and her mother face criminal charges and possible deportation?
The Department of Home Affairs has indicated its intention to press criminal charges against all implicated parties once the investigation is complete.
If Chidimma’s mother is found guilty of fraud and identity theft, she could face serious legal consequences, including imprisonment.
Chidimma, being an infant at the time of the alleged crime, is less likely to face charges herself.
However, if her citizenship is revoked, she may face deportation, depending on her current legal status and any potential mitigating circumstances.
How do things look for Chidimma Adetshina?
The future looks uncertain for Chidimma Adetshina.
While she might not face direct criminal charges, the revocation of her citizenship could drastically impact her life.
If Chidimma’s citizenship is confirmed to be fraudulent, her involvement in public events and competitions like Miss SA could be jeopardised.
Minister Schreiber, in his statement, emphasised the department’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and addressing fraudulent activities.
“The investigation into Chidimma Adetshina’s citizenship is ongoing, and we are committed to ensuring that justice is served. Fraudulent activities undermine the integrity of our systems, and we will take all necessary steps to rectify this situation,” said Schreiber.
